An Interview with Jim Shooter

Jim Shooter has been working in comics for over 32 years. He
has been a big name writer for Marvel and DC, a writer/Editor in
Chief for Marvel, has attempted to buy Marvel Comics on two
occasions, and has started up three comic companies in the past.
He has made major changes to the industry, whether it was for
better or worse will always be argued among pro's and readers
alike. Some people love him, some people hate him. Regardless,
the man knows how to make good comics. He's back at it again
with his new venture called Daring Comics. Now on with the show.

Coville:

I heard you started writing Legion of Superheroes when you were a
teenager. At what age did you start and how long were you on the
title?

Shooter:

I was thirteen when I wrote my first Legion story, in 1965. I
regularly wrote the Legion and other "Superman Family" titles
until 1970.

Coville:

Have you ever re-read those issues you did? If so what do you
think of them?

Shooter:

Depending on my mood, I think my old (ancient?) work sucks,
or is pretty good for a kid, in the context of the times.

Coville:

Would you hire anyone that age to write one of your titles?

Shooter:

Id hire a newborn Martian to write for me if its samples were
good. Its all about the work, not who or what you are.

Coville:

About your titles, you have a new company called Daring Comics and
eventually 8 ongoing titles coming out. Can you give us a brief
description of what the titles are called, what they're about and
who is doing them?

Shooter:

The only titles set so far are ANOMALIES and RATHH OF GOD. Im
writing them and the brilliant Joe James is drawing at least
one of them.

Coville:

Do you plan on having company wide crossovers in the future?

Shooter:

Company wide crossovers? Maybe. The books will all be set in the same
universe.

Coville:

What will be different and interesting about these characters that
you won't find in other superhero comics?

Shooter:

Theyll be different and interesting. Seriously, Ill bring to these
series all my best. Is there any comparison between, say, Harbinger
when I wrote it and the average super-hero strip? I think I had
something going there, but people who like my kind of comics will
like these, I think. People who think Im a jerk wont. Ill give it
my best, as always.

Coville:

I understand the first issue of Anomalies will have a limited print
run of 5,500. Is this do to financial constraints or an attempt to
increase the value of the books?

Shooter:

Chuck Rozanski of Mile High Comics suggested this limited print run
thing. I dont know much about small press (though I can run a major
blindfolded). Ive spoken to the only printer Id ever consider using,
Quebecor, and thats about the limit theyll do for such a speculative
venture, even for me, someone they know well.. Fine. So be it.

Coville:

Why did you decide to self finance Daring Comics?

Shooter:

Again, Chuck talked me into this whole self-publishing thing. Maybe I
could raise money for another comics publishing venture, but after
the bad experiences Ive had starting on a grander scale with other
peoples money, I wasnt willing to go that route again. At least
with self-publishing, I dont have other peoples balance sheets
dictating my creative decisions.

Coville:

What format will the Daring Comic books be in? How many story
pages? What kind of paper stock? Will there be outside advertising?

Shooter:

Normal format, 32 pages. Advertising? maybe someday.

Coville:

Will there be room for creator-owned work in Daring Comics?

Shooter:

Creator-owned work? Im the creator, I own it.

Coville:

Given the bleak sales right now, do you think it is wise to start
another comic company?

Shooter:

Again, Chuck talked me into this. We both think that somebody has
to step up to the plate and do something that gets people excited
again. Can I? I dont know, but I can give it a try.

Coville:

Some comic pro's think companies should stop flooding the market with
superheroes and start doing other genres. What is your opinion on
superheroes Vs. other genres?

Shooter:

I think good stuff sells. Genre doesnt matter, for the most part.
If we build it, they will come.

Coville:

Have you ever considered writing for another company again? If so,
why did you choose not to?

Shooter:

I havent had any offers to write for anyone, and the few times
Ive inquired, Ive been told that Im such a pariah that it would
be impossible to give me work. I recently suggested to Paul Levitz
at DC that I could do "Jim Shooters last Legion story," a novel
length "untold tale" set in the same time as my old Legion stories.
He liked the idea, and agreed, but a few days later called me back
and reneged. He said that the hatred some people at DC had for me
was so great, that to keep peace in his house, he had to back out
of the deal.

Coville:

Are you disappointed you never got to buy the publishing section
of Marvel Comics?

Shooter:

Of course.

Coville:

If you did get to buy the publishing section of Marvel, what would
you have done with it?

Shooter:

I would have made it good again.

Coville:

Out of all the characters you created for Marvel, DC, Valiant, Defiant,
and Broadway Comics, which ones do you like the best from each company?

Shooter:

Impossible question.

Coville:

What writers and artists impress you today?

Shooter:

David Lapham impresses me.

Coville:

What comic books are you currently reading?

Shooter:

Stray Bullets.

Coville:

What is it about today's industry that bugs you the most?

Shooter:

Its dying.

Coville:

What do you think is needed to get the comic industry back to it's
former glory?

Shooter:

Good creativity.

Coville:

Will fans be able to find you be at San Diego promoting Daring Comics?